There are so many benefits to starting your own vegetables from seed, but many people are intimidated or don’t know how to get started. Plant 4 Good is here to help!

Seed starting season begins for me in January when the gorgeous catalogs start arriving from seed companies. It can be easy to get carried away – it all looks so delicious! The actual starting of your seeds typically starts in late February or early March, depending on what you are growing and where you live. But it can help to have a plan to keep you from ordering more than you need. Let’s start by talking about the benefits of seed starting!

• Varieties: When you start your own seeds, you open up a world of possibilities. Nurseries and big box stores may offer 2-3 varieties of tomatoes. Visit a seed company website and you might find 50 varieties!  Starting from seed gives you an endless array of heirlooms, hybrids, and specialty cultivars.

• Cost-Savings: Growing your own plants from seed is cheaper than buying plants. Yes, there is an initial investment in seeds and supplies, but these can last over multiple growing seasons, making your dollar go far. There are also lots of ways to repurpose things that would otherwise end up in your trash as planting vessels!

• Learning a new hobby/skill: Seed starting is a great way to connect with nature, and learn about how plants grow and thrive. Tending to a seed and seeing it turn into dinner under your care is *almost* as good as raising your kids or pets to be good humans/animals.

• Engagement with kids: Do you have your own kids, grandkids or a neighbor’s kid that you connect with? Seed starting and growing vegetables is something all ages can contribute to. It is a great way for kids to learn about where their food comes from, how to care for something (with little risk if it fails), and maybe to even like a new vegetable!

• Keep it clean! By starting your own seeds, you have complete control over the growing conditions from day one. You can choose organic or eco-friendly potting mixes, avoid harmful pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, and tailor the environment to suit the specific needs of each plant variety. You will know exactly what this food was exposed to.

Are you hooked yet? In part 2 of this series, we will visit the steps to getting started with your own seedlings!